Pradhuman murder could have been averted, CBSE tells SC

New Delhi/Gurugram, Oct 5 (IANS) The CBSE has told the Supreme Court that Pradhuman Thakur's death in a Gurugram school could have been averted, had school authorities discharged their duties and responsibilities with care and sincerity, a lawyer said on Thursday.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also told the top court that the board's fact-finding committee observed "certain severe irregularities and security lapses" at the Ryan International School in Bhondsi area on Sohna Road in Gurugram district.

Pradhuman, aged seven, was found murdered on September 8 in the school washroom. His father Barun Chandra Thakur has since moved the apex court on the matter.

Barun Chandra Thakur's counsel Sushil K. Tekriwal said that the CBSE affidavit in the apex court points out that the school management failed to provide basic amenities on the campus.

"The Ryan management never provided portable drinking water to students. There was no reverse osmosis plant. Water drawn from a bore well was supplied on the campus," Tekriwal said quoting the affidavit.

He said the CBSE also said there were no ramps and no closed-circuit television at prominent places on the campus, and the classrooms not in use on two floors of the school building were not put under lock and key.

Tekriwal said many serious irregularities and security lapses have been pointed out in the CBSE affidavit, like no attendant to accompany students to washrooms, no separate toilets, bathrooms, and restrooms for children and non-teaching staff.

The lawyer said police was not informed immediately after the crime and no FIR was registered by the school management. There was also the absence of a boundary wall of sufficient height and barbed wire thereon.

Pradhuman's father Barun Chandra Thakur said his stand on the whole issue had been vindicated by the CBSE affidavit in the apex court and expressed the hope that the family will get justice.

The fact-finding committee was set up by the Central Board of Secondary Education on September 9. It submitted its report on September 14 to the board.

The CBSE told the court that on the basis of the committee report, a show-cause notice was issued to the school on September 16.

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